Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 22, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 January 1901 — That Dowieite Incident at Dyer [ARTICLE]

That Dowieite Incident at Dyer

The Republican previously gave such facts as werp then obtainable regarding the running of a Dowieite Elder out of Dyer, the village on the Monon eight miles south of Hammond. The incident is related at length in Thursday’s Hammond Tribune, from which the following is extracted. Ruth, the four-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stommel, who Was exposed to the disease whioh caused her brother’s death was taken with diphtheria, and as Mr. Stommel had burned the tobacco which had made the prayers for little Roy fruitless, it was supposed by the parents that Dowieism would prove efficient in Ruth’s case, and an elder was sent for, atd left Chicago on the 3:20 train oh the Monon Tuesday afternoon. As the Monon train whioh leaves Hammond at 4:20 p. m. pulled into the station, it was boarded by Chas. Stommel, who is h brother of A. W. Stommel of Dyer. The brother had heard of his little niece being afflicted with the awful disease, and was going to Dyer in the hopes he could prevail upon his brother to call in medical aid. As Chas. Stommel entered the coach he saw- the elder, and knew his destination. Determined that the faith doctor should not be permitted to see the child. Chas. Stommel informed the elder that his servioes were not desired. The elder persisted and said he could heal the little girl. When Dyer was reached the elder alighted and was about to 6tart in the direction of the Stommel home, when his fellow passengeracc osted him and at the point of a revolver demanded that he remain at the depot, which he did.

The news spread rapidly, that Charlie Stommel had a real live Dowie elder over at the station, and in a few minutes all the villagers who could be summoned were present, and for a time it looked as though a hanging bee was to be the climax. A rope was brought and the elder threatened with death. At this the Dowieite begged for mercy and his life was spared providing he got out of town and never return. As a north bound train pulled into the station the elder was hustled on board, amid jeers, hisses and threats. after the excited mob had been quieted, some of the leaders went over to see their neighbor and offered their services to secure aid for his little girl. Mr. Stommel assured them he had forsaken the Dowie faith, and gave permission to call doctors in to treat the ohild. Drs. Miller, of Dyer, and Iback and Merrill of Hammond, were called. Although the ohild is quite sick, and had had no medical attendance the doctors expect to save her life.